Electrical Permit

Due to staff workloads, we cannot support the over-the-counter permit phone service. If you have trade permit questions, contact us at OTCpermits@seattle.gov and we will respond in the order they are received.

What Is It?

You need an electrical permit any time electrical wiring is installed, altered, extended, or connected to any electrical equipment, including signs.

Special events, such as street fairs, that have temporary power installations do require an electrical permit.

Any professional applying for electrical permits must have a Washington State electrical contractor’s license and a Seattle business license. Property owners may do their own work when they own and occupy the property they’re working on.

Some projects require plan review and are not issued the same day. See Seattle Electrical Code Article 80, Sections 80.50 and 80.51, to determine if you need plan review.

How Much Does It Cost?

How Long Does It Take?

We issue many electrical permits on the same day that you apply online. If your permit requires plan review, our turnaround times depend on the accuracy and completeness of your plans, and the number of plans that are in the review queue. It will take a few weeks before we issue your permit if you don't need to make corrections.

Steps To Get Your Permit

Determine permitting and plan review requirements. Carefully review the Seattle Electrical Code Article 80 to see if you need a permit or plan review. Sections 80.50 and 80.51 explain the requirements.

Most permits – You can apply online by choosing the Permit – Trade, Construction, and Land Use link and then selecting the appropriate electrical permit. You can print your permit the same day.For permits with electrical heater as the primary heat source, you will need a Heat Equipment Sizing Form to apply.

Small solar PV systems – If your solar PV system is rated under 7KW, you can apply online without plan review. However, you must have your plans and the manufacturer installation instructions available at the job site during your electrical inspection.

If your permit requires plan review, you can submit your plans and specifications electronically through the Seattle Services Portal by choosing the Permit – Trade, Construction, and Land Use link and then selecting the appropriate electrical permit.

Pay fees. Your permit fees are due at intake. The fees are calculated based on your project value.

Make corrections and resubmit your plans. Once all of our reviews are done, you will receive an email telling you that corrected and/or additional documents can be uploaded into your portal. Your project may require multiple correction rounds before our reviews are complete.

The contractor or installer is responsible for scheduling each inspection online or by calling (206) 684-8950 before the permit expires. You must have your permit number available when you call for an inspection.

Most permits require three electrical inspections: cover, service, and final. If your project has a feeder to a subpanel, you will also need to schedule feeder inspections. These inspections can be done at the same time, but you must schedule them separately.